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Phuket has a long history of playing host to foreigners. Phuket
Town was founded in the 1st century B.C. by colonists from India.
Ptolemy, a Greek geographer in the third century A.D., referred
to it as ‘Jang Si Lang' – which later became ‘Junk
Ceylon' and this is the name you will see on ancient maps of
Thailand, or Siam.
Explorers, traders and villains
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| Tai Hua Museum |
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Because of its rich natural reserves the island has always been
important, economically speaking. Ever since early times it has
attracted explorers, traders and villains from as diverse places
as Arabia, Sri Lanka, China and Portugal – all hungering for
its ivory, pearls, timber, animal hides and gems.
In the 16th Century, tin came into Phuket's economical equation
and the Dutch, as well as the French, came to the island because
of it (Phuket even had a French-born governor at one time). The
British were not far behind and they later sent Captain Francis
Light to scout out the possibilities of controlling the strategically
important Malacca Straits, using Phuket as a base.
Phuket's Two Heroines
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| Heroine's Monument
in Thalang |
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Captain Light played a pivotal part in the most famous chapter
in Phuket's history: the routing of the invading Burmese army
in 1785. The Burmese had been repelled a year earlier but returned
in a large fleet – which was spotted by the Captain. He lost
no time in alerting the authorities in Phuket. The island's
governor had just passed away so the challenge of organising its
defence was taken up by his widow, Kunying Jan. She and her sister
Mook assembled what forces they could and, according to legend,
disguised local women as male soldiers, thus making Phuket's
military manpower seem invincible. The Burmese eventually lost heart
and left after a month's siege and as a result King Rama 1
awarded Kunying Jan with the royal title of ‘Thao Thep Kasattri'.
Nowadays, one of Phuket's main thoroughfares is Thepkassatri
Rd. It leads past a centrally located roundabout on which stand
statues of Kunying Jan and Thao Sri Suntorn –
Mook's royally bestowed title. ‘Heroine's Monument',
as it is known, plays host to many locals who wish to pay their
respects to their illustrious ancestors.
Tin Boom
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| Sino-Colonial Mansion
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Two centuries ago, extensive tin mining drew thousands of Chinese
labourers to the island and their influence and has remained, making
Phuket the province with the highest percentage of ethnic Chinese
in the country.
Today, Phuket Town is living testimony
to this cultural impact with its decidedly Chinese-influenced
architecture, cuisine and culture. 
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